Ceramic seal faces which side?

Hi everyone. Just signed up to the forum.

I have a question regarding the white ceramic seal on my pump.

I just purchased a hayward shaft seal replacement kit (or seal assembly it might be called) from my local pool store. The white ceramic seal was separated from the rubber grommet it normally sits in inside the package. The faces of the seal differ from one side to the other (one side is flat as a board and the other side has a concentric groove in the middle of it), so I don't know which way I need to put it back in there.

If I were to guess, I'd say the side with the groove is the one that should point out since that is what the black spring loaded seal ride on. In contrast, though, the old seal I'm replacing has the flat side pointing out. I don't want to assume that one was installed correctly, however.

Would anyone happen to know for sure?

The spring side goes toward the impeller with the carbon surface facing away from the impeller. The white ceramic piece goes into the pump seal plate with the ceramic facing outward.

The carbon and ceramic surfaces form the seal.

The flat, polished side mates with the graphite ring on the spring side. So, flat side out.

Many thanks, guys!